FAQs

Sunny Egg FAQs

Are eggs good for you?

Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse. They’re packed with 11 different vitamins and minerals, high quality protein, healthy fats (including omega-3) and important antioxidants. Plus, eggs are convenient, good value for money and best of all, they taste great. All of those amazing things make eggs an eggcellent part of a well-balanced, healthy diet. Find out more about eggs and nutrition

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What is the best way to store eggs?

The easiest way to keep your eggs fresh is to store them in their original carton, pointy end down, in the refrigerator as soon as possible after you buy them. Cartons reduce water loss and prevent flavours from other foods being absorbed into the eggs. Storing eggs loose, or in the specially designed sections on refrigerator doors, is not recommended because they have more chance of being damaged.

How long do eggs last?

Fresh eggs can be kept refrigerated in their carton for up to six weeks from the date of packing. Remember to put them away as soon as you can. Eggs age seven times quicker when left on the bench than when they are properly stored in the fridge.

How can I tell if an egg is still fresh?

A quick test for freshness is to check if the raw egg in the shell sinks in a basin of water. Fresh eggs stay at the bottom of the bowl while older eggs float because of the large air cell that forms in its base.

I’ve had a carton of eggs in my fridge for a few weeks. Can I still use them?

You can use your oldest eggs for baking cakes, quiches and frittatas if they’re still within their best before date. Fresh eggs are ideal for poaching and frying because they hold their shape. Older eggs are fine for hard-boiling, scrambling, and making omelettes. If you’re hard-boiling, it’s best to use eggs that are a few days old. The fresher the egg, the more likely the white will stick to the shell.

How do I check whether an egg is boiled or raw?

Easy. To tell if an egg is raw or hard-boiled, spin it! If the egg spins easily, it’s hard-boiled but if it wobbles, it’s raw.

What is the difference between brown and white shelled eggs?

There is no difference except that white shelled eggs are laid by hens with white feathers and brown shelled eggs by hens with brown feathers! Seems obvious doesn’t it?

Are eggs safe for coeliacs?

Eggs don’t contain gluten protein so they are safe for coeliacs. Eggs are one of nature’s most nutritious foods and can be an important and tasty part of your diet. If you do have health concerns you should consult your medical practitioner.

Are eggs safe for diabetics?

Eggs are safe for diabetics. They are so nutritious, versatile and of course tasty, they can be eaten regularly as part of a healthy diet. If you do have health concerns you should consult your medical practitioner.

Why do some eggs have two yolks?

Eggs with double yolks are formed by young hens whose laying cycle hasn’t yet settled into a pattern. As the yolks move through the reproductive tract they can bump into each other and become enveloped with albumen (egg white) forming a double-yolked egg.

My eggs don’t weigh what you are claiming

The “min” weight on the pack refers to the total weight of the eggs in that particular carton. The allowable weight range for:

  • 600g is between 48-60g per egg.
  • 700g is between 57-68g per egg.
  • 800g is between 65-73g per egg.
What are some food safety tips when it comes to storing eggs?

Like all perishable foods, eggs need to be handled carefully. Follow these suggestions to ensure you handle and prepare eggs properly:

  • Eggs should be cooked until the white is completely firm and the yolk begins to thicken.
  • For best quality, use fresh eggs within the best before date printed on the carton. Avoid cross-contamination by washing hands, cookware, and countertops with hot, soapy water after preparing raw animal products, including eggs.
Safe handling tips for eggs and egg products

Raw eggs are a very good food source for growing bacteria – like raw meat, once an egg is cracked it should be treated as you would treat raw meat (keep cold, don’t store over 24 hours and keep sterile).

Raw Shell eggs

  • Do not use cracked or dirty eggs.
  • Store shell eggs under 5°C.
  • Shell eggs once cracked should be fully cooked before consumption.

Egg based sauces

  • Use only pasteurised egg pulp for making up sauces.
  • Prepare and store the product under 5°C and use within 24 hours of making.

When making up egg products good hygiene practices must be followed:

  • Sanitised benches and equipment.
  • Clean hands.
  • No cross contamination of product with other items such as meat or vegetables that may contain bacteria.
Can eggs contain salmonella? If so, how can I avoid it?

Salmonella can be found on the outside of eggs and also within the shell. While eggs are safe when handled properly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) make the following recommendations for food safety:

  • Shell eggs are safest when stored in their cartons in the refrigerator – not the individual egg holders. Unrefrigerated eggs age more in one day than refrigerated eggs do in one week!
  • Eggs should be cooked thoroughly – both the whites and the yolks should be firm. Avoid eating lightly cooked eggs, especially if you are considered “at risk” (i.e. pregnant, an infant/child, or elderly).
  • Eat eggs as soon as you can after cooking them. Don’t keep warm or at room temperature for longer than two hours.
  • Cracked or dirty eggs should be discarded.

Chicken Laying hen FAQs

What are Cage Eggs?

Caged eggs are produced by hens housed in specially designed cages. Four to six hens share each cage and fresh feed and water are at their feather-tips. The hens’ houses are inside a secure, climate-controlled barn, so they are protected against other animals and extreme climates. This is the most intensive form of egg production and therefore the most cost-efficient, which means that generally cage eggs are the most affordable.

Our cage egg production facilities are independently audited and conform with the Model Code of Practice for the welfare of animals- domestic poultry fourth edition.

What are Cage Free eggs?

Our Cage Free hens are housed within a large, enclosed barn to protect them from other animals. The barns are well ventilated and have natural light so they’re safe and comfortable. Fresh food and water are at their feather-tips. The hens are free to move around inside large barns, flap their wings on their perch, dust bathe and socialise.

Our Cage Free farms are independently audited to ensure they conform with the Animal Welfare code, and with our own stringent Cage Free Standard.

What are Free Range eggs?

Our Free Range hens have access to an outdoor area during daylight hours where they enjoy fresh country air and are free to roam and do all things that chickens naturally do. All of our free range hens have easy access to fresh feed and water. At night our hens return to their barn, protected from other animals and harsh weather, for a good night’s sleep. Our Free Range farms are independently audited and accredited by ESA (Egg Standards of Australia). Visit our ChookTracker to see our hens roaming live and unedited.

How can I be sure eggs are Free Range?

Don’t just take our word for it. All of our farms are independently audited to meet the AECL’s (Australian Egg Corporation Limited) ESA (Egg Standards of Australia) Standard. We also visit all of our farms regularly to ensure they are complying with our high standards, not just the minimum requirement.

Some Free Range egg customers have been unsure about exactly what “Free Range” means. We can’t speak for all Free Range farms, but we’re proud of our Sunny Queen Free Range farms, so we developed the ChookTracker so you can see our hens for yourself. No editing. No special effects, just a camera constantly filming the pasture during daylight hours, showing you the hens as they go about their day.

For any information regarding ESA, including their auditing procedures, please visit www.aecl.org.

What is Organic Free Range?

Our Organic Free Range Farms meet very stringent regulations including providing evidence that no pesticides have been used on the premises for seven years. Plus we only ever feed our hens organically produced feed.

Organic Free Range hens have access to an outdoor area during daylight hours where they are free to roam. At night we house our hens in a barn where they are protected from other animals and harsh weather.

Our Organic Free Range eggs are independently audited and certified by “ACO” (Australian Certified Organic), which is the largest independent Organic Certification Body in Australia.

What are your hens fed?

Our hens need a wide variety of nutrients such as carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins and minerals. Animal nutritionists ensure the hens’ diet keep them healthy. We do feed them fish/meat meal as part of their diet to ensure they get essential amino acids. We also feed them a range of grains including wheats, oats and soya bean depending on seasonality and availability.

As well as this, our hens have easy access to fresh water. Our Organic Free Range hens are fed an Organic diet which omplies with the Australian Certified Organic (ACO) feed requirements.